Alcott Elementary to pioneer science, math program for kids WITH VIDEO

Principal Robert Jansen with students Elena Soliz (left) and her brother Ronald Soliz in front of Alcott Elementary School in Pontiac, Thursday June 20, 2013. Alcott will be a pilot school for science technology engineering and math under a special program for kids next fall. (Oakland Press Photo:Vaughn Gurganian)

Alcott Elementary School has been selected for a nationwide pilot program -- the kind of happening that officials say keeps hope alive in Pontiac schools in the midst of ongoing financial and academic crisis.

The 400-student elementary school for kindergarten through sixth graders on the city's north side on Kennett off Telegraph Road has been selected as one of just 44 schools in the United States invited to pilot the newest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program.

Project Lead The Way, a company which has been the nation's leading provider of STEM education curricular programs for middle and high school students, is now in the process of creating its first program for elementary students.

Principal Robert Jensen, who requested the opportunity to have this school in the program, said Alcott, its teachers and partners, Cranbrook and Detroit Zoological Society's Tomorrow's Leaders Today and First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, have been working for years to turn Alcott into a STEM school.

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"We've kept that vision," said Jensen, also giving recognition to lead teachers Alison Curlee and Robert Gilmore.

"I give my staff a lot of credit," said Jensen. "I feel like 100 percent of the teachers are buying in. When they are listening to the presentations, they are really excited about it."

By being part of the pilot, Alcott will expand its high-quality educational offerings for its students.

All the science, technology, engineering and math educational modules will be connected to reading, math and the common core subjects so students see how everything works together toward their career goals.

"I just think it's going to really allow the kids to be engaged in their learning, to take their learning to the next level," Jensen said. "It will give them hands-on experience. They will see how science is tied to math. ... It will allow them to reflect, write and do research."

Cranbrook and the Detroit Zoological Society are talking about providing a day at their locations just for Alcott students.

"That will tie it all together. It is important to have kids get experience out of the classroom," the principal said.

In fact, part of the program with the partners has been to give the kids opportunities for field trips.

Asked about having such an opportunity for Alcott children in the midst of crisis, Jensen said, "All these other things we can't control. But even under the circumstances of finances, I still feel we are providing a good educational experience.

"I think this will offer Alcott children experiences other children (in other districts) won't have," Jensen said.

Alvin Tessmer, instructor in Eastern Michigan's School of Technology studies, has been working with Jansen and Alcott teachers.

Tessmer has been encouraging the Socratic method of teaching, in which teachers work together across subject areas and children are given problems and use skills and knowledge from several fields to come up with the answers.

Once the Project Lead program is implemented, Alcott students will engage in design problems that encourage collaboration, analysis, problem solving and computational thinking through a series of topic-based modules.

Project Lead's elementary program will also align with standards such as Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

Curlee, the instructor designated as the Master Teacher for the elementary pilot, and instructor Robert Gilmore, a teacher and robotics coach, will receive training by Project Lead and will help instruct the professional development for the Alcott teachers involved in the pilot program.

"The feedback of Principal Jensen and the teachers will influence the development of engaging curriculum and balanced assessment for elementary students, and the creation of effective professional development for instructor," said Jennifer Cahill, Project Lead spokeswoman.

The final version of the elementary program will be available to all school districts in the United States for the 2014-15 school year.